This quote was read at my wedding this weekend.
As you sit side by side through the roller coaster of life, remember to:
Scream from the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loop-de-loops, and enjoy every twist and turn – – for the ride is better because you share it together.
Not only did this warm my heart and make me excited to share with my husband. It is such a great description of what everyday looks like. Twist Turns, Peaks, Dips, loop-de-loops. So many of us with our constant feed of social media look at other lives with the “grass is greener” attitude. We automatically compare and assume that others have it completely together and we don’t. This discourages us because we don’t feel like we have enough or even are enough. None of us are perfect, we are all flawed. Others might not show you their rollercoaster, but that doesn’t mean that they have it easy. Turn off the comparison compulsion, turn down our amount of social media use, start each morning with a thankful journal of what you have. Stay grounded.
This is something I constantly struggle with. I have caught myself in hours of facebook fishing. In other words looking for value, or comparison. This is such a waste, and a harmful use of our time. I want nothing more but to be grounded and centered in my faith and what God has already blessed me with. The best way I do this is writing. Writing through the happiness, frustrations, the pain and the loop-de-loops that make my whole world upside down.
In a journey to stay me, I am committing to authentically writing here. Really writing. Opening up about whats on my heart and without fear. Frequently. Though it makes me completely nauseous to say this……Daily even. I am walking into this fear because I am sure God is behind me on this.
Join the roller-coaster of my life that I will be sharing here. I am committing to be authentic. I want to show you the broken as well as the put together. I want to learn from each others ups and downs and twist and turns by having active communication with each of you. It’s my life’s work to encourage and nuture others. I need to start this at a cellular level with me, so here we go…..
G. You can do this, give it everything. Work hard and make sacrifices to not let clutter get in the way of writing. Get to the gym to start the juices flowing. Push the envelope. Stand Strong in your faith. It’s scary. People will judge you, they might use it against you. Yet, if your words even bless one person they will be worth it. Your imperfections are what make you, You. This writing will help you love yourself more and in turn, give you more love to give to others. Know that your raw authentic rollercoaster of words is meant to be shared. You know that in your heart. I am so proud of you today Gina, you pushed through a lot of hard stuff to even write this post. Praise the Lord for his strength and the support system that continues to turn you to him. High fives and happy dance to the beginning of something big. You got this, put your hands up and enjoy the ride!
So here I am upside down on the roller coaster of our unmade bed. Ready for adventure. Mya wanted to try it out too.
Such a beautiful true post Gina! You have taken fear and shown it who’s the boss! SO PROUD OF YOU…YOU HAVE THIS!
That a girl.
I may or may not have teared up reading this. And it’s not the hormones. It’s the raw. It’s the honesty. It’s your beautiful heart. It’s hearing your story and seeing mine. It’s your honesty and humility reminding me there is better. And knowing that I want to fight for what you describe here. Oh how grateful I am for you. And your writing. You are loved. Thank you…
I hope you know what an inspiration you are to me! I love reading your blog posts! 🙂
I love you, I love this post, I love your stripey comforter, I love your dog. And, most of all, I love that you are sharing yourself this way and I CAN’T WAIT to see where this ride takes you – I have absolute faith and confidence that it is going to be somewhere stellar!
Gina, thank you, friend, for this reminder! You are AMAZING! I love your authenticity and your wisdom. Love you lots!
You are truly as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. I’ve been thinking about going this route myself, and you just gave me the push! 🙂 xoxo
You are amazing, GIna. I look forward to reading about your roller coaster. Your courage in this inspires me today–thank you.
You. Are. Awesome.
Love this post Gina! LOVE it!! xoxo
gina, i seriously was just sitting her fighting with myself about blogging my raw thought process and my not-watered-down goals and dream. i was struggling with the idea that being too upfront with who i want to be shooting will repel too many people, offend too many people, cause people to hate me, think i’m stuck up or too opinionated. so thank you. thank you for being real. thank you for inspiring me to be sure it’s aligned with His plan for me and just put it all out there and be real.
in sunday school this week, our teacher told us that sometimes we get too excited and we over share things that God hasnt finished working in us yet. we get so excited in what we think He’s doing that we stunt the growth of what He really wanted for us. your post really just breathes the fact that you are in tune with what He wants from you. you’ve listened and carefully thought through what you share, making sure its real and raw and what He wants from you. thanks for reminding me to do the same.
Love this. I can’t wait for you to continue this.
Just what I needed today Gina! Turning off the social media and getting back to work. I am so glad that this was the post I clicked on to read! You are truly an inspiration – thank you, thank you, thank you!
I love you and I am so so so proud of you!!! So excited to read your posts and watch this journey unfold. I love your heart!!
THIS. WAS. BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for your courage to share authentically. I know I struggle with the comparison thing too and you’re right, it’s such a WASTE. I love that quote at the beginning. And your dog is super cute!
Gina: You’ve got this. I’m here if you need me. Let’s take a walk together this week! Call me.
I am so excited you’re doing this! On the roller coaster with you….remember you are not alone. Way to feel the fear and do it anyway!
I love you. Can you call/text/message me every morning and say these things to me?! 😉
I am looking forward to reading your posts as well all struggle to stay grounded and authentic! FB allows people to stay in touch and connected but on such a shallow level. It will be nice to read your thoughts uncensored and real! Thank you for saying what we all know but rarely express- life is full of ups and downs and its valuable to show both sides.
Gina – walk on lady . . you have so many people behind you cheering you on! I can’t wait to meet you next week!
So much of you shines through here Gina. Especially in the photos! I love your fun-loving attitude SO much. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I adore you! I adore this post!!! You are an inspiration to me!!!!
Gina, I really needed to read this tonight. Thank you for sharing. You are an amazing woman and such an inspiration. You.Will.DO.This. Looking forward to reading your adventures! P.S. Mya is a cutie! xoxo!
you.are.amazing.
woman. we are SO much alike. I’ve been wanting to open journal for a LONG time. Thanks again for the inspiration. Can I challenge a way of thinking? God’s children ARE perfect. Purposeful with all the ‘stuff’ he gives us, each unique – and tools for our individual journey. Striving for perfection is so uncomfortable because…we already are.
you’re beautiful…
my life is so much richer with you in it.
this morning waking…I am grateful and grounded because of YOU…mad love jodi!
Hey Gina! I found your blog through Lara Casey’s blog, and well, consider me hooked! Your words are just an inspiration, so keep snapping beautiful people and writing those gorgeous words. xoxo. Shefali